Suchergebnisse

In part 1 of this 2-part review of the 20th anniversary of the UK Dermatology Clinical Trials Network (UK DCTN), we described its role in developing and supporting clinical trial proposals, elaborating on structure, process and clinical trials activity. This review describes the diverse educational and training activities that the UK DCTN supports. Although not primarily set up as an educational organisation, an education and training function emerged organically as the network grew. Education and training also embodies the democratisation principle that drove the formation of the UK DCTN, allowing participation from a much wider group of individuals than just senior academics. Far from being a side-line, education and training has now become a major component of the UK DCTN that evolves constantly through changing training curricula and trial methodology developments. Formal UK DCTN training opportunities started in 2007 with competitively awarded annual fellowships for dermatology trainees, followed by similar schemes for general practitioners, Staff and Associate Specialist clinicians, and dermatology nurses. These were followed in 2013 by larger groups of trainees who work up specific trial proposals with senior mentors. Finally, a virtual journal club emerged during the pandemic in 2020 in order to reach trainees with little access to academic training. Focused activities with dermatological nurses and patients/carers also take place. Such activities require considerable organisation and volunteerism from the co-ordinating centre and former fellows. Education and training has become an essential component for capacity building to develop clinical trials and succession planning for the UK DCTN.

The UK Dermatology Clinical Trials Network (UK DCTN) formed in 2002 with the aim of developing and supporting high quality independent national clinical trials that address prioritised research questions for people with skin disease. Its philosophy is to democratise UK dermatological clinical research and to tackle important clinical questions that industry has no incentive to answer. The network also plays a key role in training and capacity development. Its membership of over 1,000 individuals includes dermatology consultants, trainees, dermatology nurses, general practitioners, methodologists and patients. Organisational structures are lean and include a co-ordinating team based at the Centre of Evidence-Based Dermatology, and an executive with independent members to ensure probity and business progression. A prioritisation panel and steering group enable a pipeline of projects to be prioritised and refined for external funding from independent sources. The UK DCTN has supported and completed 12 national clinical trials, attracting investment of over £15 million into UK clinical dermatology research. Trials have covered a range of interventions from drugs such as doxycycline (BLISTER), silk clothing for eczema (CLOTHES) or surgical interventions for hidradenitis suppurativa (THESEUS). Trials results are published in prestigious journals and have global impact. Genuine partnership with patients and carers has been a strong feature of the network since its inception. The UK DCTN is proud of its first 20 years of collaborative work and aims to remain at the forefront of independent dermatological health technology assessment as well as expanding into areas including diagnostics, AI, efficient studies and innovative designs.